SOFIA, Bulgaria —
Millions of Orthodox Christians whose churches use the
Julian calendar — including those in Russia, Serbia and
Macedonia — celebrated Christmas on Jan. 7.
In Moscow, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, reflecting
on the past year, said the church was “experiencing the
joyful time of a renaissance.”
Russian Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar created by
Julius Caesar. This celebrates Christmas 13 days later than other
Christians who follow the Gregorian calendar, named after Pope
Gregory XIII, who introduced his version in the 16th century.
“Churches and monasteries are being built and restored.
More and more children are learning the truths of the faith,”
Alexy said in his message. He also noted that missionary and charity
work was being extended and that Christian moral values were having
an impact on society. “We continue to have a difficult yet
fruitful dialogue with non-Orthodox Christians, people of other
religions and convictions.”
Yet at the same time there were hardships, he said. “In
many places around the world, including our own country, blood
has been shed in the last year, the evil of terrorism has touched
my flock too. The enemies of the Orthodox Church have blasphemed
her and brought humiliation to her sacred places.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a Kremlin statement,
said the Russian Orthodox Church and other churches traditional
to the country were contributing to the promotion of moral values
in society.
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Pavle, issued
a Christmas message inviting all people to live in unity with
God as the only salvation from death and disaster.
The Greek Orthodox Church in Greece and the Americas celebrates
Christmas on Dec. 25, but the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
and all Palestine, Eireneos I, led a Christmas service in Jesus’
city of birth, Bethlehem.
In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Prime Minister Branko
Crvenkovski sent Christmas greetings to Archbishop Stefan, head
of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, and all its members, with wishes
for a peaceful and prosperous 2004.
In Bulgaria, which celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25, adherents
of the minority Russian Orthodox, Armenian and other churches
using the Julian calendar gathered for Jan. 7 Christmas services
in the capital Sofia.
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